AN: And the next installment! If it weren't for the agony of trying to write it all quickly, I would be in love with posting only finished fics. While I am rather fond of this oddness of a story, it has reminded me why I prefer one-shots. Yet I am already starting another multi-part fic. Feel the headache...
Chapter 1: Forewarning
Sighing, Kenshin dropped his undone scarf to the side of the road, leaning his head against a tree. After a moment, he wearily turned to his scattered food supplies and went to pick them up.
Upon returning with the gathered food, he found two identical scarves sitting by the road. He blinked. That was unexpected. And mildly irritating. Backing up a step, he pulled his sheathed sword free and poked the scarf on the left several times. Following that he poked the one on the right.
It squeaked. He poked it again.
The tanuki popped and resumed its natural form, and ran into the underbrush. Kenshin sighed again, and began packing his food.
---
As he walked along, Kenshin mused on recent happenings. He had found work in a small village, following traders on their routes and keeping bandits away. He'd performed his job admirably, gotten paid well, and best of all, no one there had discovered his past. He had not been run out of town. He'd had a wonderful beginning to his day, and nothing could ruin it.
He blinked. And stopped. And turned, finally, to look into the tree tops.
From its perch above and behind him, the tanuki blinked back.
After staring each other down for several moments, Kenshin turned and continued on. His stalker continued to follow, moseying through the bows as would a fine lady due her glory out on a promenade.
Alright, his unwanted companion was annoying. But that thing would not ruin his day.
Not even when it started squeaking at him every few minutes. No, it would go away eventually.
---
Setting the last piece of kindling on the pile, Kenshin reached into his gi and pulled out a flint. Quickly starting a fire, he stepped back a few paces and sat, content to enjoy the warmth before sleeping.
Few minutes had passed when he became aware of a small presence behind him. He sat still, waiting to see what would happen. The new presence snuck closer, almost shyly, until it sat directly behind him. He felt a tugging on his hair. He turned slowly, in order to see his forward little guest.
Fascinated by his red hair, a little red kitsune sat smacking at his top knot. As he turned, its eyes moved to his face. They studied each other for a while; the kitsune, getting bored, edged closer. It pulled itself onto his lap, and after a moment he rubbed its head. The kitsune purred.
The brush nearby seemed to rustle. Man and animal went silent, every bit alert. When nothing occurred, the kitsune butted its head against Kenshin's stomach, and squirmed to his shoulder. Nosing his cheek, the kitsune barked lightly, and gave him a small lick.
With an almighty roar, the tanuki launched itself from the tree tops, ramming into the kitsune and sending it flying. Kenshin froze, wide-eyed as the space in front of him became filled with a snarling, spitting, scratching dervish of small mammal.
Thinking for only a moment, Kenshin grabbed his food, circled the fire, and began to stamp it out. The disturbingly violent creatures did not notice, and he took the chance to run. Perhaps it would be wise to continue on through the night, until he found an inn. Yes, that would be best.
Nothing would ruin his day, confound it all...
Maybe just his sleep...
---
The sun rose over the mountains, its warmth and light flowing forth into every nook and cranny. Squirrels stirred. Birds began chirping. Soft rabbits began nosing about in an innocent manner, as the world radiated love for everyone. Kenshin cursed them all.